False claim: Americans were drafted for the war between Israel and Hamas
Biden celebrates NATO’s 75th anniversary with allies in Washington
On the occasion of NATO’s 75th anniversary, President Joe Biden spoke about the progress the 32-nation coalition has made during his term as president.
The claim: USA has reintroduced conscription for the war between Israel and Hamas
In an Instagram post from July 9 (direct link, archive link), a woman can be seen speaking to a mashup of clips showing a military official speaking at the Pentagon, as well as American troops and fighter jets.
“The military draft has officially begun,” the woman says in the video, which is shown alongside footage of the speech at the Pentagon. “Men and women between the ages of 18 and 26 are now being drafted for Israel’s war.”
At various points in the video you can read: “The military draft has begun,” “The day has come,” and “No excuses.”
The post was liked over 4,000 times within four days.
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Our rating: False
The US is not recruiting Americans into the military for the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. The video references a bill passed by the House of Representatives that would automatically register 18- to 25-year-old men for the draft, but the bill is not law and does not automatically conscript people into the armed forces. To reinstate conscription, Congress and the president would have to act.
USA has not yet started conscription for war between Israel and Hamas
There is no evidence that the U.S. has begun forcing Americans into military service to fight in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. The website of the Selective Service System – the federal agency that registers men and maintains a system for possible draft registration – says there is currently no draft.
To reinstate conscription, Congress would have to amend the Military Selective Service Act to give the president the authority to draft people into the armed forces, the agency said. But that has not happened. A search of the congressional website found no such changes. There have also been no announcements from the White House or the Department of Defense about reinstating conscription.
The Instagram video refers to a bill that would automatically register men who are at least 18 but not yet 26 for military service. The House of Representatives passed HR 8070 on June 14, but it is not yet law and does not automatically require individuals to serve in the military.
Fact check: No, the Selective Service Registration Act does not reinstate conscription
The video also mentions a $2.3 billion US aid package for Ukraine and Israel’s plan to draft some previously exempt ultra-Orthodox men into the Israeli army. However, these developments do not support the claim that the US has begun the draft for the war between Israel and Hamas.
In a July 11 press conference, President Joe Biden said the U.S. has been working on a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza, and negotiations are ongoing. Biden said he is committed to reaching an agreement and ending the war between Israel and Hamas. He did not mention that Americans could be drafted to fight in the conflict.
The Instagram user who shared the video did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Our fact-checking sources:
- Selective Service System, accessed July 11, Selective Service System
- Selective Service System, accessed July 11, About Selective Service
- Selective Service System, accessed July 11, Back to Draft
- US Department of Defense, accessed July 11, News
- White House, accessed July 11, Statements and Publications
- Congress.gov, accessed July 11, Search
- USAGov, accessed July 12, Register for Selective Service (the draft)
- The Associated Press, July 2: Defense Secretary Austin says U.S. will provide Ukraine with another $2.3 billion in military aid
- Reuters, June 25: Israeli court ends military exemption for ultra-Orthodox Jews
- Associated Press (YouTube), July 11, Biden holds press conference at NATO summit (FULL STREAM)
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